Electrical connector assembly for an image forming device

Abstract

An assembly for an image forming device includes an access door movable between an open position permitting replacement of a replaceable unit and a closed position. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit. The electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed to the open position moves the electrical connector from the extended to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open to the closed position moves the electrical connector from the retracted to the extended position.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
 an access door pivotable about a pivot axis between an open position permitting user replacement of a replaceable unit of the image forming device and a closed position; and 
 an electrical connector mounted in the image forming device, the electrical connector is movable relative to a frame of the image forming device between a retracted position and an extended position, in the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device, in the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device, 
 wherein the electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door of the image forming device such that movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position moves the electrical connector axially relative to the pivot axis of the access door from the extended position to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open position to the closed position moves the electrical connector axially relative to the pivot axis of the access door from the retracted position to the extended position. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connector translates along a first direction when the electrical connector moves between the retracted position and the extended position as the access door moves between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical connector is translatable along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction during movement of the electrical connector along the first direction between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein movement of the electrical connector is constrained along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions during movement of the electrical connector along the first direction between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a camming member rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, the camming member is operatively connected to the electrical connector and to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position rotates the camming member from the first rotational position to the second rotational position which moves the electrical connector from the extended position to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open position to the closed position rotates the camming member from the second rotational position to the first rotational position which moves the electrical connector from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a linkage operatively connected between the access door and the camming member such that the linkage moves the camming member between the first rotational position and the second rotational position as the access door moves between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the camming member is disengaged from the electrical connector when the camming member is in the first rotational position while the access door is in the closed position such that the camming member applies no force against the electrical connector when the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit and the electrical connector is in the extended position. 
     
     
       8. An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
 an access door on a first side of the image forming device, the access door is movable between an open position permitting user replacement of a replaceable unit of the image forming device and a closed position; and 
 an electrical connector mounted in the image forming device on a second side of the image forming device, the electrical connector is movable relative to a frame of the image forming device between a retracted position and an extended position, in the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device, in the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device, 
 wherein the electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door of the image forming device such that movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position moves the electrical connector from the extended position to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open position to the closed position moves the electrical connector from the retracted position to the extended position. 
 
     
     
       9. The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the electrical connector translates along a first direction when the electrical connector moves between the retracted position and the extended position as the access door moves between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
       10. The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical connector is translatable along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction during movement of the electrical connector along the first direction between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
       11. The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein movement of the electrical connector is constrained along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions during movement of the electrical connector along the first direction between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a camming member rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, the camming member is operatively connected to the electrical connector and to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position rotates the camming member from the first rotational position to the second rotational position which moves the electrical connector from the extended position to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open position to the closed position rotates the camming member from the second rotational position to the first rotational position which moves the electrical connector from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a linkage operatively connected between the access door and the camming member such that the linkage moves the camming member between the first rotational position and the second rotational position as the access door moves between the closed position and the open position. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the camming member is disengaged from the electrical connector when the camming member is in the first rotational position while the access door is in the closed position such that the camming member applies no force against the electrical connector when the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit and the electrical connector is in the extended position.